Connector equipped with dust-proof arrangement, and a set of dust-proof hoods for connector

Abstract

In a dust-proof connector for an electronic unit detachably provided in an electronic apparatus in which an air-stream is produced in the apparatus to cool an interior thereof, the connector includes a first type connector half provided on the electronic unit and having a first array of electrical contacts, and a second type connector half provided in the apparatus and having a second array of electrical contacts. First and second dust-proof hoods are associated with the first and second connector half, and are formed of a suitable elastic material. The first hood is configured to block off the air-stream to thereby protect the first array from penetration of dust in the air-stream, and the second hood is configured to block off the air-stream to thereby protect the second array from penetration of dust in the air-stream. The first and second hoods cooperate with each other to be elastically deformed so as not to hinder establishment of a connection between the first and second arrays when the connector halves are connected to each other.

1. A dust-proof connector for an electronic unit detachably provided in an electronic apparatus in which an air-stream is produced in said electronic apparatus to cool an interior thereof, which connector comprises:
 a first type connector half provided on said electronic unit and having a first array of electrical contacts;  
 a first dust-proof hood associated with said first type connector half and formed of a suitable elastic material, said first dust-proof hood being configured so as to block off the air-stream to thereby protect said first array of electrical contacts from penetration of dust in the air-stream;  
 a second type connector half provided in said electronic apparatus and having a second array of electrical contacts;  
 a second dust-proof hood associated with said second type connector half and formed of a suitable elastic material, said second dust-proof hood being configured so as to block off the air-stream to thereby protect said second array of electrical contacts from penetration of dust in the air-stream; and  
 wherein said first and second dust-proof hoods cooperate with each other to be elastically deformed so as not to hinder establishment of a connection between said first array of electrical contacts and said second array of electrical contacts when said first type connector half and said second type connector half are connected to each other.  
 
   
   
     2. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the air-stream is produced along a direction parallel to a connecting direction in which said first type connector half and said second type connector half are connected to each other, and each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is formed as a bent plate-like member including a section extended in parallel to said connecting direction, and a slant section directed toward a corresponding array of electrical contacts to define an acute angle between said sections, whereby the corresponding array of electrical contacts is covered and concealed with said slant section, resulting in the protection of the corresponding array of electrical contacts from the penetration of dust in the air-stream. 
   
   
     3. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the air-stream is produced along a direction perpendicular to a connecting direction in which said first type connector half and said second type connector half are connected to each other, and each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is formed as a bent plate-like member including a section extended in parallel to said connecting direction, and a slant section directed to define an obtuse angle between said sections, thereby blocking of the air-stream, resulting in the protection of the corresponding array of electrical contacts from the penetration of dust in the air-stream. 
   
   
     4. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is made of a suitable rubber material. 
   
   
     5. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is made of a suitable electrically conductive rubber material, and is grounded to an electrically conductive frame of said electronic apparatus. 
   
   
     6. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is made of a suitable transparent elastic resin material. 
   
   
     7. A dust-proof connector as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second dust-proof hoods is made of a suitable elastic resin material, and is provided with an electrically conductive film layer formed thereon, and said electrically conductive film layer is grounded to an electrically conductive frame of said electronic apparatus. 
   
   
     8. A connector half comprising:
 an array of electrical contacts; and  
 a dust-proof hood made of an elastically deformable material and attached to a body of said connector half, said dust-proof hood being extended so as to shield said array of electrical contacts from dust, wherein said elastically deformable hood deforms to allow the connection of said connector half to another connector.  
 
   
   
     9. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood has an end fixed to the body of said connector half, and a free end extended to a front face of said array of electrical connections. 
   
   
     10. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood prevents penetration of dust in an air-stream, wherein said air-stream is produced where another connector half is located and connects to said connector half. 
   
   
     11. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein each electrical contact is a male type contact, and the body of said connector half comprises a connector housing which surrounds said array of male type contacts. 
   
   
     12. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein each electrical contact is formed as a female type contact, and the body of said connector half comprises a plug member in which said array of female type contacts is provided. 
   
   
     13. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood is made of a suitable rubber material. 
   
   
     14. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood is made of a suitable electrically conductive rubber material, and is grounded. 
   
   
     15. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood is made of a suitable transparent elastic resin material. 
   
   
     16. A connector half as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said dust-proof hood is made of a suitable elastic resin material, and is provided with an electrically conductive film layer formed thereon, and said electrically conductive film layer is grounded. 
   
   
     17. A connector half comprising:
 an array of electrical contacts; and  
 a dust-proof hood made of an elastically deformable material, wherein said dust-proof hood blocks off an airstream to thereby protect said array of electrical contacts from penetration of dust in said airstream and wherein said elastically deformable hood deforms to allow the connection of said connector half to another connector half.